Gang spies in police, says Mob supergrass

By TONY STICKLEY and TONY WALL

Police and the justice system have been infiltrated by Mongrel Mob spies, says a former senior member of the gang who fled the country after becoming a police informer.

The man, aged in his mid-30s and described as a former "heavy hitter" in the feared ethnic gang, is suing police for $220,000, claiming they broke a promise to organise a new life and witness protection for him.

He is now living in Australia on a visa. His civil case was due to be heard in the High Court at Auckland this week, but has been adjourned until early next year.

He is expected to give the court rarely heard details of the gang's operations and dealings with police.

Some of the evidence will be suppressed when the case comes to trial, and it is not known at what levels the alleged moles were operating.

The supergrass was at the heart of Mongrel Mob operations, and was privy to all its national meetings.

Information he provided is said to have helped identify people associated with the gang working within the police and the justice system.

The man's lawyer, Paul Dale, said yesterday that some of the information his client gave the police would "knock your socks off."

"They know so much about the police and they have people in places that they should not have ... They are incredibly well informed."

The president of the Police Association, Greg O'Connor, said yesterday: "We're well aware that organised crime has got sources within police.

"The Police Association has been warning about this for some time - New Zealanders should not be surprised. We have seen organised crime become more and more entrenched."

The officer in charge of the Drug Intelligence Bureau, Detective Inspector Cam Ronald, who is being sued personally in the man's civil action, said no one from police would comment on the allegations.

"We have never before, and I don't believe we ever would, declare what an informer may or may not have told the police.

"If that person wishes to make some allegations in a court case, that's something we wouldn't confirm or deny."

Although he would not be drawn on the claims that the Mongrel Mob had infiltrated police, Mr Ronald confirmed that an analysis of organised crime in New Zealand released about a year ago had uncovered cases of confidential information falling into the wrong hands.

"There were instances where some Government departments, including police, may have had instances of not infiltration, but ... misdemeanours committed within the departments which may have caused information to be leaked."

Mr Dale said his client gave police valuable information about Mongrel Mob illegal activity, including its involvement with drugs and guns.

"It was huge. This guy was big time. This is as good as they [the police] could get in terms of gangs," said Mr Dale.

The man is suing the police for breach of contract, claiming he was promised enough money to start a new life.

He also wants a declaration that the police or the Government should have provided him with a new identity in Australia.

"Part of the claim is to obtain the full benefits of witness protection - this case isn't really about money," said Mr Dale. "It's really about getting protection and enabling him to stay in Australia."

He received $6300 for the information he supplied, but claims the police promised him enough to set himself up in Australia.

The man expected New Zealand authorities to help organise his moveto Australia. Instead, he is living in Australia on a visa rather than as a permanent resident.



Unless he wins an order justifying the Australians letting him into their witness protection scheme, he will be forced to return to New Zealand, where there are fears that the Mongrel Mob will murder him for his indiscretions.



Mr Dale said the police claimed the man did not qualify for the witness protection scheme because he never gave evidence in court - he was merely an informer. But that was splitting hairs "in a big way."



"Having informant and witness protection is an incredibly important part of police business, and if the scheme and the integrity of what the police can do is undermined, then you won't have informants," he said.



The former Mongrel Mob gang man is so fearful for his life that a video link with Australia has been organised, so he will not have to return to New Zealand for the hearing.

Ross Burns, the lawyer representing the police, said it was a most unusual case.

"He was an informant.

We paid him a sum of money for information, and we fulfilled our side of the bargain."